Dog bites increase in Butaleja, no medicine for Rabies 

By Ambrose Wanagoli 

The Veterinary officer for Butaleja district, Jackson Twebaze Nadahayo, has broken his silence about the increasing cases of dog bites in the district, identifying Butaleja town council, and parts of West Budama which neighbour Butaleja district, as the most affected; but he complained that few people openly report to his office.

Nadahayo, addressing the journalists today afternoon disclosed that he registered 61 cases of dog bites in 2024(October to December), then has 3 cases of dog bites since the start of 2025.

He urged the public to embrace dog vaccination against Rabies(a disease contracted through dog bites), asked the community members to refrain from provoking dogs, and cautioned the dog owners to feed their animals well, in order to tame them.

Nadahayo, also urged the political leaders to help sensitize the public about the dangers of dog bites, then broke the news that Butaleja district ran short of “Rabies” vaccines. He, however, disclosed that he is lobbying for help from his counterparts in the neighborhood.

Stephen Hasango, one of the survivors of dog bites narrated that he was ambushed by an angry dog a Fortnight ago(Two weeks), and it feasted on Hasango’s sheep. His quick response to save more sheep from the seemingly wild dog, earned Hasango, deep bites in the face and he nearly lost his eyes to the dog.

He, nonetheless, revealed that his alarm attracted his neighbours who finally killed the exotic dog.

This is the 2nd time for the district Veterinary officer to complain about stray dogs, and possible outbreak of Rabies in Butaleja district. In an interview late last year, Nadahayo, said that the estimation shows existence of at least 6000 of dogs in Butaleja district.